Japan’s HFC emissions rise 4.7%

Latest figures reveal that Japan’s hydrofluorocarbon emissions rose by 4.7% in 2018 to 2.1 million tonnes, despite overall CO emissions falling for the fifth year in succession.

The figures from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and the National Institute for Environmental Studies reveal that, while the country’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 3.9% in 2018 compared to 2017, hydrofluorocarbon emissions from refrigerants are increasing every year.

From this month, the government is said to be strengthening the penalties for illegal disposal to reduce emissions.

Overall GHG emissions in 2018 were 1,240MtCO2eq. This is a 3.9% decrease on 2017, a 12% decrease compared to 2013 and a 10.2% decrease compared to 2005.